Plush toy having an audio player

ABSTRACT

A plush bear having a chest cavity for receiving an audio player therein. The plush bear includes a head, a body, arms and legs. The body has a chest cavity with a built-in pocket therein for receiving an audio player selected from the group consisting of a CD player, an Ipod and an MP3 player. The built-in pocket has a connection wire disposed therein for connecting to the audio player and a see-through cover for controlling the audio player. The built-in pocket includes a plush material cover or flap corresponding to the plush material on the plush bear. The plush bear has two built-in speakers and an amplifier connected to the connection wire for connecting to the audio player; and the plush bear has a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries to power the audio player, the amplifier and the two speakers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plush toy having an audio player positioned within the plush toy for producing audio sound or music for use as an entertainment device for young children or infants. More particularly, a front outer plush material cover flap can be peeled away to reveal a built-in front pocket for receiving the audio player therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stuffed animals, dolls and other toy devices for use as entertainment devices are well-known in the prior art. Such stuffed animals, dolls and toy devices have audio devices as part of their structure and typically the same sound or music is repeatedly played by the audio device and cannot be changed or altered.

There remains a need for a plush toy having an audio player, such as a CD player, an Ipod or an MP3 player being removably received within an interior area of the toy body. Additionally, the plush toy would include a front outer plush material cover flap that can be lifted or peeled away to reveal a built-in front pocket for removably receiving the audio player therein. Further, the plush toy would include speakers, an amplifier and a power source to enhance the sound or music coming from the plush toy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Stuffed animals and stuffed toys having various accessories, designs, configurations and materials of construction have been generally disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,821 to McKeefery et al. discloses a dual track recording device, such as a tape recorder. On a second track of the recorder an animation signal is recorded characterized by the signal having a frequency at any given time indicative of the then currently desired animation condition. A character-type toy is provided having a tape playback unit therein for playing back such pre-recorded dual track tapes. The character-type toy has an amplifier and speaker for reproducing the audio information, and a servo motor having a drive system for moving the character mouth elements and eyes with the desired animation. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the concept and structure of a plush toy having an audio player of the present invention.

U.S. Design Patent No. D291,818 to Forsse discloses a talking bear in the form of a teddy-bear type character. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the concept and structure of a plush toy having an audio player of the present invention.

None of the aforementioned prior art patents teach or disclose a plush toy having an audio player for use as an entertainment device for children that includes a front outer plush material cover flap being removable from the toy body in order to reveal a built-in pocket for removably receiving the audio player therein.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plush toy having an audio player, such as a CD player, an Ipod or MP3 player, being removably received within an interior area of the toy body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player that has a front outer plush material cover flap that may be lifted from the toy body to reveal a built-in pocket for removably receiving the audio player therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player that includes two speakers, an amplifier and a power source to enhance the sound or music coming from the plush toy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player with two speakers and the amplifier positioned within the head of the plush toy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player that positions the power source in the form of a battery compartment having one or more batteries therein within the body of the plush toy for providing power to the audio player.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player that has a connection wire within the built-in pocket for electrically connecting the audio player to the power source.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player where the plush toy is selected from a group consisting of stuffed toy animals or dolls such as teddy bears, lions, tigers, pigs, monkeys, gorillas, ponies, horses, sheep, dinosaurs, cows, Raggedy-Anne or Andy dolls, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player that is easy to play with by a child, and is durable and cleanable for repeated use by the child.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plush toy having an audio player that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a plush bear having a chest cavity for receiving an audio player therein. The plush bear includes a head, a body, arms and legs. The body has a chest cavity with a built-in pocket therein for receiving an audio player selected from the group consisting of a CD player, an Ipod and an MP3 player. The built-in pocket has a connection wire disposed therein for connecting to the audio player and a see-through cover for controlling the audio player. The built-in pocket includes a plush material cover or flap corresponding to the plush material on the plush bear. The plush bear has two built-in speakers and an amplifier connected to the connection wire for connecting to the audio player; and the plush bear has a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries to power the audio player, the amplifier and the two speakers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the plush toy having an audio player of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a chest cavity having a built-in pocket for storing the audio player therein;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the plush toy having an audio player of the present invention showing a front outer fur layer flap in a rolled away configuration exposing the built-in pocket having a see-through plastic cover thereon, and a connection wire disposed in the pocket;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the plush toy having an audio player of the present invention showing speakers in each of the ears of the head of the plush toy;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plush toy having an audio player of the present invention taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the speaker and the amplifier positioned within the eye and head of the plush toy, respectively;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the plush toy having an audio player of the present invention showing a battery compartment having batteries therein within a rear section of the body of the plush toy;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectioned view of the plush toy having an audio player of the present invention showing the battery compartment with a rear outer fur layer flap, the chest cavity having the built-in pocket with the connection wire disposed therein, the plastic cover and the front outer fur layer flap; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the plush toy having an audio player of the present invention showing the electrical connections with the audio player, speakers, amplifier, and power source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The plush toy 10 having an audio player 50 and its component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 7 of the patent drawings. The plush toy 10 in the form of a teddy bear 20 is used for entertaining a small child or infant with audio sounds (S) such as music, nursery rhymes, stories, or bedtime sounds (i.e. ocean waves, chimes and the like) being produced by the audio player 50. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the plush toy 10 includes a head 22 having ears 24 a and 24 b, eyes 26 a and 26 b, a nose 28, and a mouth 30; and a body 32 having a pair of arms 34 a and 34 b and a pair of legs 36 a and 36 b being attached thereto. It is understood that plush toy 10 may be in other animal forms such as lions, tigers, pigs, monkeys, dinosaurs, ponies, sheep, and the like, or in human forms such as Raggedy-Anne and Andy dolls, and the like. Teddy bear 20 includes a fur-like outer layer 38 which represents the outer “fur” of the bear 20.

The body 32 of plush toy 10 includes a chest cavity 40 having a built-in pocket 42 with a clear (see-through) plastic cover 44 attached thereto. The built-in pocket 42 includes a pocket opening 46 for receiving an audio player 50 therein, as depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The audio player 50 may be in the form of a CD player, an Ipod, an MP3 player or the like. The clear, see-through plastic cover 44 is for seeing and controlling the various controls on the audio player, such as an “ON/OFF” button 52. In this manner, one places his/her finger on the plastic cover 44 over the “ON/OFF” button 52 for starting the audio player's 50 “ON/OFF” functions, etc. The built-in pocket 42, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, also includes a front outer fur-like (plush material) cover flap 60 for covering from view the plastic cover 44 and the built-in pocket 42 having the audio player 50 therein, so that it is not visible. The front outer plush material cover flap 60 includes an interior wall surface 62 having a hook strip 64 at the lower end 66 for attaching to a loop strip 68 on the plastic cover 44 for closing and sealing the cover flap 60 over the built-in pocket 42 of chest cavity 40 of plush toy 10, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The body 32 of plush toy 10 includes a rear cavity 70 in the back of the body 32 having a battery compartment 72 having one or more batteries 74 therein. The battery compartment 72 includes a snap-in compartment battery cover 76 thereon. The back cavity 70 includes a rear outer fur-like (plush material) cover flap 80 for covering from view the battery compartment 72 and the back cavity 70. The rear outer plush material cover flap 80 includes an interior wall surface 82 having a hook strip 84 at the lower end 86 for attaching to a loop strip 88 on the compartment battery cover 76 for closing and sealing the cover flap 80 on the battery compartment 72 of the back cavity 70 of plush toy 10, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

The head 22 of plush toy 10 includes a head cavity 90 for holding and retaining an amplifier 92 and a pair of speakers 94 a and 94 b therein, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, wherein each of the speakers 94 a and 94 b are disposed in each of the eyes 26 a and 26 b, of teddy bear 20. In alternate design configurations, the speakers 94 a and 94 b are disposed in each of the ears 24 a and 24 b, respectively. Alternatively, speakers 94 a and 94 b are disposed in each of the arms 34 a and 34 b or disposed in each of the legs 36 a and 36 b, respectively.

Additionally, the built-in pocket 42 further includes a connection wire 48 for electrically connecting the power source (P) of the battery compartment 72 having batteries 74 therein to the audio player 50, as well as the amplifier 92 and speakers 94 a and 94 b, as shown in FIG. 7 of the patent drawings. Speakers 94 a and 94 b are electrically connected to amplifier 92 by electrical wire 96, and amplifier 92 is electrically connected to the battery compartment 72 by electrical wire 98, as depicted in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The battery compartment is electrically connected to a ground member 100 by electrical ground wire 102.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7, the plush toy 10 having the audio player 50 within the built-in pocket 42 operates in the following manner. The user or parent would initially lift up or peel away and detachably remove the lower end 86 of the rear outer cover flap 80 from the rear cavity 70 of body 32 of teddy bear 20, as well remove the hook and loop strips 84 and 88 from each other in order to expose the battery compartment 72 within the rear cavity 70 of body 32 of teddy bear 20. Then the child or parent removes the compartment cover 76 from the battery compartment 72, and then one or more batteries 74 are placed within battery compartment 72, as depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The user then replaces the compartment cover 76 onto the battery compartment 72 and initiates power (P) from battery compartment 72, as depicted in FIG. 7 of the patent drawings. The user then replaces the rear outer plush material cover flap 80 over the compartment cover 76 and re-connects the hook and loop strips 84 and 88 with each other to close cover flap 80 on the rear cavity 70 of body 32 of teddy bear 20.

In the next step, the parent or child lifts up or peels away and detachably removes the lower end 66 of the front outer plush material cover flap 60 from the built-in pocket 42 of chest cavity 40 of body 32 of teddy bear 20, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as removes the hook and loop strips 64 and 68 from each other in order to expose the built-in pocket 42 within the front chest cavity 40 of body 32 of teddy bear 20. The user now connects the connection wire 48 to the audio player 50 in order to activate the CD player, Ipod or MP3 player within the built-in pocket 42. The parent or child now places his/her finger over the plastic cover 44 on a particular control button to control the volume, station and the like. The user now places the front outer plush material cover flap 60 over the plastic cover and re-connects the hook and loop strips 64 and 68 with each other in order to close cover flap 60 on the front chest cavity 40 of body 32 of teddy bear 20, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. Teddy bear 20 is now in operational use by the child or infant.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player, such as a CD player, an Ipod or MP3 player, being removably received within an interior area of the toy body.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player that has a front outer plush material cover flap that may be lifted from the toy body to reveal a built-in pocket for removably receiving the audio player therein.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player that includes two speakers, an amplifier and a power source to enhance the sound or music coming from the plush toy.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player with two speakers and the amplifier positioned within the head of the plush toy.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player that positions the power source in the form of a battery compartment having one or more batteries therein within the body of the plush toy for providing power to the audio player.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player that has a connection wire within the built-in pocket for electrically connecting the audio player to the power source.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player where the plush toy is selected from a group consisting of stuffed toy animals or dolls such as teddy bears, lions, tigers, pigs, monkeys, gorillas, ponies, horses, sheep, dinosaurs, cows, Raggedy-Anne or Andy dolls, and the like.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player that is easy to play with by a child, and is durable and cleanable for repeated use by the child.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a plush toy having an audio player that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.

A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein. 

1. A plush bear having a chest cavity for receiving an audio player, comprising: a) a plush bear having a head, a body, arms and legs; b) said body having a chest cavity with an accessible built-in pocket therein for receiving an audio player selected from the group consisting of a CD player, and an MP3 player; c) said accessible built-in pocket having a connection wire disposed therein for connecting to said audio player and a see-through cover on said accessible built-in pocket through which said audio player may be controlled; d) said built-in pocket having a plush material cover flap corresponding to the plush material on said plush bear for overlapping and covering said see-through cover; e) said plush bear having two built-in speakers and an amplifier connected to said connection wire for connecting to said audio player; and f) said plush bear having a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries to power said audio player, said amplifier and said two speakers.
 2. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 1, wherein said two speakers are disposed in said head of said plush bear.
 3. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 1, wherein said head of said plush bear includes a pair of eyes and a pair of ears.
 4. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 3, wherein each of said speakers are disposed in each of said eyes of said head of said plush bear.
 5. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 3, wherein each of said speakers are disposed in each of said ears of said head of said plush bear.
 6. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 1, wherein said speakers are disposed in each of said arms of said plush bear.
 7. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 1, wherein said speakers are disposed in each of said legs of said plush bear.
 8. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 1, wherein said amplifier is disposed in said head of said plush bear.
 9. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 1, wherein said amplifier is disposed in said body of said plush bear.
 10. A plush bear having an audio player in accordance with claim 1, wherein said battery compartment is disposed in a back section of said body of said plush toy.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A plush toy having a chest cavity for receiving an audio player, comprising: a) a plush toy having a head, a body, arms and legs; b) said body having a chest cavity with an accessible built-in pocket therein for receiving an audio player selected from the group consisting of a CD player, and an MP3 player; c) said accessible built-in pocket having a connection wire disposed therein for connecting to said audio player and a see-through cover on said accessible built-in pocket through which said audio player is controlled; d) said built-in pocket having a plush material cover flap corresponding to the plush material on said plush toy for overlapping and covering said see-through cover; e) said plush toy having two built-in speakers and an amplifier connected to said connection wire for connecting to said audio player; and f) said plush toy having a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries to power said audio player, said amplifier and said two speakers.
 13. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 12, wherein said two speakers are disposed in said head of said plush toy.
 14. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 12, wherein said head of said plush toy includes a pair of eyes and a pair of ears.
 15. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 14, wherein each of said speakers are disposed in each of said eyes of said head of said plush toy.
 16. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 14, wherein each of said speakers are disposed in each of said ears of said head of said plush toy.
 17. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 12, wherein said speakers are disposed in each of said arms of said plush toy.
 18. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 12, wherein said speakers are disposed in each of said legs of said plush toy.
 19. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 12, wherein said amplifier is disposed in said head of said plush toy.
 20. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 12, wherein said amplifier is disposed in said body of said plush toy.
 21. A plush toy having an audio player in accordance with claim 12, wherein said battery compartment is disposed in a back section of said body of said plush toy.
 22. (canceled) 